COBOURG, Ont. – Frontline health care workers at the Golden Plough Lodge are determined to fight a management proposal to reduce hours and cut staff at the home for the aged. The workers, who are members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), voted on Monday, March 20th, to reject management’s strong-arm tactics to cut staff.
“We will not be bullied and we will not participate in any plan that will hurt residential care,” said Laura Bunton, president of CUPE 1748. “Our members are here to provide care and we will do whatever it takes to stop the cuts.”
Management presented to the union a laundry list of demands, including staff cuts, reduced hours and waiving workers’ rights under the collective agreement. “The employer is threatening us with major layoffs if we do not accept their demand to break our contract,” said Bunton. “On top of the layoff threats, management indicated they would contract out services at Golden Plough if their financial problems are not fixed within six months.”
CUPE 1748 represents 150 long-term care workers who are registered practical nurses, personal support workers, health care aides, dieticians, housekeepers and laundry workers. “Residents who’ve contributed to our community for decades deserve better treatment than this from the county,” said Bunton. “We are urging community members to contact management and local councillors, to tell them to drop their plans for cutbacks and service cuts.”
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For further information contact:
Laura Bunton, President – CUPE 1748 (613) 475-6517
Lee Douitsis, CUPE national representative (416) 454- 7518
James Chai, CUPE communications (416) 292-3999